Oh, yes, a lovely bit of news that Alina is going to hate, if she doesn’t already. Things are not going well for her. This is major. What is she going to do next? Maybe she and Lindsey Halligan will get together and open their own small-claims business, because neither of them is in good shape right now, and neither one is particularly bright. From AlterNet:
An appeals court on Monday upheld a lower court ruling disqualifying Alina Habba, President Donald Trump’s interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, NBC News reports. Trump appointed Habba, who has represented Trump in several high-profile cases, including the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, in March. After her interim term expired in July 2025, the administration attempted to use legal maneuvers to keep her in the role, leading to significant legal controversy. In a 32-page ruling, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals found that Habba’s appointment violates the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, NBC News explains. “It is apparent that the current administration has been frustrated by some of the legal and political barriers to getting its appointees in place,” wrote Judge Michael Fisher.
Awwww! Our hearts (don’t) break for her. She *had* to know she was in there illegally, if she is any kind of a lawyer at all. She had to know she was on borrowed time without that Senate confirmation. She had to know Trump was playing fast and loose with her appointment. This shouldn’t have come as a surprise. And oh, yes, she’s hating life right now. Now, for some more fun:
Journalist and former BuzzFeed News legal editor Chris Geidner posted the news on Bluesky, saying, “NEWS: A unanimous Third Circuit panel rules that Alina Habba is not U.S. Attorney, cannot be Acting U.S. Attorney, and cannot have the powers delegated to her.” //// Retired Random House copy chief and author Benjamin Dreyer replied to Geidner, saying, “Well, that’s a funsy ruling!” //// Tennis titan Martina Navratilova mused on X, “The irony. A lawyer illegally appointed to be the Law Czar in NJ… go figure.”
The comments are almost better than the “hell NO” ruling by the appeals court. We can guess she wanted the power and the money of the position. Perhaps she wanted to prove to Trump she’s not *always* a pitiful excuse for a lawyer. Well, she fails again. This probably won’t go to SCOTUS because, for once, they’d say, “So sad, too bad,” to her, and that would be the end of it. It’s not worth wasting more judges’ time. We can hope, but not assume, she will let it go. Last but not least:
Journalist Bill Grueskin wondered on Bluesky, “Do we know what this means for any indictments that she may have signed, or other cases done under her authority?” //// CNN anchor Jim Sciutto writes on X that this ruling is “dealing a legal blow to the Trump administration that could have far-reaching consequences on other appointments across the country.” //// J-L Cauvin, comedian and Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district, posted on X, “Alina Habba is illegally serving as NJ’s U.S. Attorney. Trump’s fondness of barely (il)legal continues. //// University of Michigan Law professor Barb McQuade posted on X that “Third circuit finds appointment of interim US Attorney Alina Habba is invalid. Courts have consistently struck down Trump’s efforts to evade the Senate confirmation process.”
Now, doesn’t this improve your day? She’s been very quiet these days. Lindsey Halligan has been in the news for her idiocy. Well, Alina’s baaaaack and getting busted for nearly the same thing. Three’s a charm, so who will be next? You have to know there’s another one coming, but where? We shall see. It will be just as much fun for the next. You can count on it.
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money. I promise, among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
You say “… she had to know …”. Given what has transpired, it’s possibly fair to assume she had not enough clarity in foresight to realise the gravity of consequences from associating with him, and getting caught up in his manipulations. End result: Failure then tossed under a bus.